Any parents have problem with getting a photographer to be fair when it come to kids’ picture?

Question

There’s this one photography student who my sister had some of her pictures taken by. He’s really good at photography, especially outdoor pictures, the way he use sunlight is just stunning.

I’d love to have some of my daughter pictures taken by him. When my sister introduces me to him, I asked him about taking a picture of me and my daughter. I was sick by what he say, he say he’ll do it for a fee and hand me the list. I was a bit taken back but I thought it can’t be that much. For him to take my picture, it would be somewhat below the average studio price just like as everything else. But for kids, he charge four time of what he’d charge for other pictures. I tried to talk with him about this, he say he have enough offers and he doesn’t like to do kids photography, so I can either take it or leave it.

Have any parents experienced this problem?

Answer 1

He sounds arrogant. Find a different photographer.  

Answer 2

Sounds fair to me.  It's his life, his business, he can charge whatever he wants and, to be smart, will charge the best price he can get.  

You get to choose whether to do business with him or not.  

Answer 3

I don't care for his customer service mannerisms, but keep in mind this is his business, his livelihood. If he chooses not to encourage children's portraiture, that's his right. Evidently he makes enough elsewhere.

Forget him - find someone who specializes in child or family portraiture. If you lived in my area I'd be able to refer you to the best of the best - and her rates are reasonable.

Answer 4

Some kids are really hard to get good pics out of! Some people just do have patience to deal with them. My oldest loves pics but my youngest hates pics and always gives them a hard time. At least he is up front with you and you know to go somewhere else that can deal with kids! Be happy for his honesty!  

Answer 5

I don't really blame him.  Photographing children is difficult work.  Not only because little kids can be uncooperative, but because the parents can be a huge pain in the butt.  They demand 100 million shots until they get one they're satisfied with. Or they ask for certain poses or backgrounds that the photographer knows, from experience, won't look good in a finished portrait.  But even though he advises against it, the parents still demand it... and then they end up not liking it and don't buy the picture.

Because of this, many photographers prefer not to work with kids.  And if they have enough business from adults, they don't have to!  Or they charge more to work with kids.

If you really like this guy's work, then go ahead and use him... the extra money might be worth it.  But if you can find someone else who does the same thing for less money, then you don't have to use this guy.  Simple as that!  =]